Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Well I will tell you one thing Humayun he was an outstanding officer and friend I still haven't forgot or will I ever forget him. I worked for him in 201st Shop Office for a while and became great friends but the way he was who couldn't or wanted to be his friend. I will always remember you Humayum for as long as I live. And to your Mom and Dad I am truly sorry for your loss He was an outstanding Friend, Person and Soldier!!!"
SFC Corriveau, Scott of Germany

"I am John Parker, I worked on the night shift with CPT KHAN during the rotation to Iraq. He always told me he wanted to check the day time operations out. Your son and my boss was an outstanding man with an vison to provide a safe and stable enviroment for the peoples. I have tried over and over again to get over the loss of our good friend. To the parents of CPT KAHN, I would like to say he was one of the greatest officer that I have worked for. I can remember him calling me all through the night VIPER 2A whats your location. What would I give to hear that from him. MR. AND MRS.KHAN my thoughtful prayers goes out to you and your family. He is missed and always will be."
ISG JOHN PARKER(RETIRED of FORT BRAGG NC

"June 15, 2008
To the family of Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan:
Humayun gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all.'
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"Like I have so often before, I come to this web page to read and think about June 8th 2004. The events of that morning play through my mind over and over again. I had known CPT Khan for a brief 10 minutes as myself, SFC Rodriquez, and two of my soldiers were talking as the Iraqi workers assigned to my unit were coming through the gate. I saw the car sitting there on the road as I turned to walk away but didn't give it much thought. In the next instant I was face first on the ground showered by rocks and gravel. In the following confusion and chaos SFC Rodriquez stumbled out of the dust wounded and I pulled out a bandage for his neck and tried to help him as he called for help on the radio. Myself and another soldier rushed to CPT Khan but there was nothing we could do for him. We all did our best to help the wounded Iraqi workers and soldiers. I remember a young PFC that had taken a piece of shrapnel through his teeth helping me pull security. I asked him if he was okay and he told me "Sarge once everything is secure I'll get looked at." I can only echo what SFC Rodriquez has said what could any of us done differently. I did see the car but didn't say anything. I didn't realize it was a threat. I knew CPT Khan briefly but our lives will forever be linked. I am sorry for your loss."
SSG Maurice Jasmann of Co C 141 Engineers Task Force Trailblazers

"Dear Mr. & Mrs. Khan,
I am writing you today on behalf of myself and my family. I want to send you my deepest condolences for your loss, our prayers are always with you all. I was stationed with your son CPT Humayun, Khan in Germany and while in Iraq as his Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of force protection. I was also injured in the same incident the day your son gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country doing the thing he knew and loved the most. I am proud to have served with him, and I want to say that he was a fine Officer and Friend. He has taught me a lot during our time working together in Iraq; we got somewhat close during the short time there. I knew him as the Officer in Charge of Maintenance while assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 201st Forward Support Battalion, Germany. He knew his job and did it well, always following up on the statuses of work being done on all vehicle maintenance within the Infantry Battalions on post. There are so many things I can say about your son, and I always keep all of you and Humayun in my prayers and thoughts. I cannot forget nor will I forget Humayun. I have been trying deal and cope with your loss since June 8, 2004. And everyday that passes it gets harder and harder to deal with.
Humayun was always trying to make a difference in everything he did and the people that he had close contact with. Most of all he made a difference and touched many Iraqi Nationals lives, we implemented an Iraqi work program to hire hundreds of Local Nationals to work on the base camp and earn a decent wage and to learn to work hand in hand with American Soldiers, sharing our different values and beliefs but mostly sharing cultures, he was all about caring for others. He would always be interacting with the different tribe leaders ensuring that we have a good working relation winning the hearts and minds of all Iraqi citizens in the area we were operating out of. He was always improving on base camp security to ensure that the Soldiers as well as the Army Leadership were safe at night when they laid their heads down to sleep. He was put in a position that demanded a lot of personal time and dedication, and he did his best to ensure that no task or job went unfinished. Before turning over his shift every evening he would always conduct a proper relief to ensure the oncoming personnel were fully informed on the events that took place throughout the day, and no matter what was going on he would always find the time to give advice or listen to Soldiers who had problems, helping them thru their personal and professional issues. That was a quality that he possessed and I admired him for that. I truly miss him, and I constantly think about him and the ones he loved and left behind. Humayun would always try and make the Soldiers laugh with jokes that he told, but some of us would never get the punch line and he would continue to tell his jokes, he was such a funny man.
I cannot turn back the hands of time and redo the past, and if I could, I would. I often think of the things that I, as the Non-Commissioned Officer in charge, could I have done anything different? Could I have prevented that tragic day? Was I doing everything in my power to ensure we were safe? I was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for my actions and injuries received in a combat zone, and I’d give them back to have Humayun back in our lives. He was a man of honor and respect and that’s all he ever did, he respected other Soldiers as well as his friends. Medals have no meaning, only the friendship that he and I shared. All Humayun wanted to do was to see how I conducted morning operations, to see if we could improve on how we let the workers in the gate because the he was concerned for the safety of all who entered the base camp and also to greet the Iraqi Nationals as they entered the base camp for work.
If there is anything that myself and my family can do please don’t hesitate to ask. Humayun was a friend, and I think he would have wanted me to take care of you in any way. My address is 2540 Waianae Uka Ave., Wahiawa, Hawaii, 96786. My phone numbers are (808)489-9492 home, (808)343-4326 cell. Again I want to give you my deepest condolences, my prayers are with you all."
MSG Frank T. Rodriguez of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, USA

"To the family and loved ones of CPT Khan, I had the opportunity of serving as one of the senior NCOs in his platoon when he was assigned as a Tank Platoon Leader. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you as well as my condolences at your loss. Never was there a more loyal and dedicated soldier and leader. CPT Khan cared deeply for the troops under his command and always accomplished his mission. He is an example of what every soldier and leader can aspire to be. CPT Khan, you are sorely missed."
SSG M (Now WO-1 K) of Fort Rucker, Alabama

"CPT Khan is my dearest unmet brother. Being the second Pakistani to have graduated from the University of Virginia's Army ROTC program, I can only hope to emulate his standards. Inshallah I will see you in Heaven, but not before I carry out the same duties you did so honorably. Inna lillah hai wa inna ilay hai raaji'oon. Rest in peace, Sir. Bhai Jaan."
2LT Ubaid ul-Haq of 343rd Medical Company, Richmond, VA

"Thank you for saving my life. If it wasn't for you I would have very probably died from the explosion. It was an honor serving with you."
SPC Christopher George of Vilseck Germany

"To Anyone Who made read this:
I knew CPT Khan for only 18 short months. In that time I got to know him very well. I could always talk to him about ANYTHING! He was close enough to me to be called my "uncle". When I worked for him in Shop Office, he told me that he would be leaving us to go into FPOC. I said to him " Sir, don't leave me, take me with you! I can NOT do Iraq without you!" He said that he would try. He did. He always made sure that I was well taken care of when I did have guard duty, and kept me out of trouble. He was BY FAR, one of the most respected men in my life. An excellent leader and confidant. The day he died, I had to help clean up some of the remains. That was the worst day of my life. I dreampt one night of him. We argued that he wasn't really there. In my dream, he said to me, " You said you couldn't do Iraq without me. So, here I am." Needless to say, I woke up crying. I always felt like he was watching over me still. I miss him incredibly! And think of him and his loved ones often. I even got a tattoo in his rememberence. It says "UNFORGOTTEN". I guess the moral of all this is that, CPT HUMAYAN KHAN WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!"
Laci Walker of Fort Benning, GA

"From our military family, Vietnam Veteran, our son in law and daughter veterans of OEF, OIF and OEF respectively, we wish to express our regrets at the loss of Captain Khan.
Our prayers are with you, his family and for all of our Troops who have gone before us and those still in harms way, fighting for our freedom and that of so many people.
I am the Army Family Finder for Marine Comfort Quilts (www.marinecomfortquilts.us)and I need Capt Khan's parents to contact me or go to our website and register for your quilt.
Sincerely,
teacher32@charter.net"
Patricia of Benton,Mo

"Humayun Khan or just Khan, that is what we called him at the officer basic course in Fort Knox Kentucky, was my best friend while we were in school. He was smart, funny, and fun to be around. Although we did not talk much after the Army took us to different parts of the world I thought of him and our friendship often. I still have photos of our time spent at Fort Knox and I miss him very much. He was a great person and the memories I have of him and the time we spent at Fort Knox will stay with me forever. Although I will never be able to talk to or see him again I will never forget him or the great friend he was and I will always visit him when I'm in VA. If you knew him and would like to talk about him and remember him email me at ltmangi@aol.com"
Tom Mangiamele of Mattituck, NY

"CPT Kahn I only knew you a short time and it was hard to see you die but you are a great man and will be missed."
Sgt Maurice Jasmann of Co C 141 ECB Bismarck ND

"On this upcoming one year anniversary of your passing...I just want you to know you'll never be forgotten. I still remember you and how you were at graduation...so happy and so carefree. It is an honor having known you. You were my best friend and I will end this message with the same words I said to you the last time we met..."I love you man...you take good care of yourself.""
Ricky from UVA Norris House

"Deepest sympathies to the family of Captain Khan and all who knew him. Never had the priveledge of meeting him, but will recall his sacifice always."
S. Hamid, Major USAR of NJ, USA

"Hallo Irene,
ich habe über deine Geschichte im Focus gelesen. Das alles macht mich sehr traurig!! Ich wollte Dir nur sagen, dass ich Dir alles alles erdenkliche Gute und Beste wünsche und dass Du wieder Freude am Leben gewinnst und wieder glücklich wirst. Es ist leichter gesagt als getan und ich kann warscheinlich auch nicht im geringsten nachempfinden wie schlimm das für dich ist, aber ich hoffe wirklich das beste für dich. An einem Denkmal habe ich mal ein Gedicht gelesen: "Wer in Gedanken seiner Lieben weiter lebt, der ist nicht tot, der ist nur fern. Tot nur ist, wer vergessen wird..."
Viel Glück!!!!"
Sabine of Wiesbaden, Germany

"Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son. I knew Humayun at UVa and remember him as a very kind-hearted and soft-spoken individual. He was a model student and a model human being."
Wali Sulaiman of Vienna, Virginia

"As I read in our local German newspaper
http://www.oberpfalznetz.de/onetz/606499-102,1,0.html
about the death of Captain Humayun S. M. Khan
I searched the internet and found this webpage.
Please accept my sincere condolence.
May God strengthen you from knowing that also German people participate on the loss of your loved one. God bless you all!"
Willie Ertl of Vilseck, Germany

"Thank you brave soldier for sacrificing your today for my children's safer tomorrow. You have our utmost respect and gratitude. May God provide your family with comfort in their time of sorrow. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten. For the family/friends: May time provide happy loving memories in place of present sorrows. Look to the sky, "In the infinite meadows of Heaven the bright shining stars bloom...the forget-me-nots of angels". God bless you and thank you."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

"Im 14 years old and knew Khan in the years he attended UVa. I will never forget everything he tought me and always remember him as the greatest role model a young man could wish for. RIP Norris 7"
Hal of Charlottesville, VA

"Cpt Khan is not just a hero but also an immortal symbol of American Muslims' loyalty to their country, USA."
Tassie of Pleasanton, California

"Khan-
Keep up the fight on your end my brother, I'll always remember you as Bandit Blue 6, thanks for what you taught me."
LT Kaser of Fob Scunion, Iraq

"Captain Khan, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"To Humayun's Family:
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved Humayun. He was a cheerful man I had the pleasure of knowing at UVa. It is very painful to imagine how soon the tender candle of his life was extinguished. I will rememberhim for his cheerful smile, for his dedication, for his sense of humor. May God grant you patience."
Nizam Missaghi of Charlottesville, VA

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Humayun, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To Hamayun's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for his bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (Ernie's mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"I consider it a great honor to have had an American hero like Humayun call me his friend. There is no way to earn the life he and men like him have given me. Instead I will try to live a life of service, always remembering Khan, who allowed me to do so."
CPT Jeremy Vigna of HHC, 11th AVN, Illesheim, Germany

"Thank you Humayun M. Khan, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of Capt. Humayun M. Khan:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Humayun for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of Capt. Humayun M. Khan:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Humayun, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia